AsianYachting June 2004
News and Views

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CONTENTS

1. Editorial - 2003/04 AsianYachting GP Skipper and Yacht Champions
2. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Troy Yaw's Ulumulu skippered by Ray Roberts
3. Austral - Asian News - 2004/05 AY Calendar along with the AY GP events
4. International News - Athens 2004 Olympic sailing venue

Browse past News & Views - Web Editions click on: June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March April May

1. EDITORIAL

After nine tightly contested Grand Prix racing class regatta's held in six countries over the last eight months sees Peter Ahern skippering YO! and Sam Chan's Ffreefire emerge as the respective 2003/04 AsianYachting GP Skipper and Yacht Champions for the season. Congratulations must go out to all the competitors with a special thanks going to the organising authorities, race committees and sponsors for working together and making a success off what has often been described as a very ambitious annual sailing program for the region.

It's just been great watching the Asian sailing scene continue to grow by promoting more local participation and having great regattas in some of the most exotic places in the world.

To view the final AY GP trophy, Blue Blazer and chilled champagne presentation at Koh Samui plus the overall poinstscore, placings and individual regatta press reports goto: http://asianyachting.com/news/Rankings0304.htm

Asia’s newest regatta, Phuket Race Week to be held 10 – 17 July unofficially kicks off the 2004/05 Season from the stylish Evason Phuket Resort are anticipating a strong first year turnout. “We were concerned that we might suffer from a ‘too many regional regatta's syndrome, but it seems we’ve hit on the right formula,” said Andy Dowden, director of organizers Image Asia Events. Dowden added that solid entries had already reached over 30 boats, with at least that many again showing strong interest. More details: www.phuketraceweek.com or contact Andy on raceweek@image-asia.com The 2004/05 AY Calendar along with the AY GP events can be browsed at: http://asianyachting.com/asiancalendar.htm

Whilst we are raping up the season I would like to personally take this opportunity to thank ISAF - Making Waves, Boating OZ, Regatta Dates, Broadly Boats, Sail-World, Scuttlebutt Europe plus a number of magazines that helped with the publicity and promptly kept their faithful International readers up to date by regularly carrying our Daily Race Reports and sourcing Asian news and results for their e-newsletters and publications. Oh! For The power of the web. Now! If, we could only get rid of all that useless and unwanted advertising spam.
See ya! on the water.
Capt Marty

2. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"

First came the decimating of the Mini 6.5 fleet in the Pornichet Select their first regatta of the year, which set off from the port of Pornichet France on Friday 30 April. Within 24 hours, no less than 35 boats had abandoned the race. The first leg out to the l'île d'Yeu brought the singlehanders winds to 27 knots and 1.60 metre seas. A major T-bone collision between the highly rated Aloys Claqin on Vecteur Plus and Xavier Haze's Le Tour du Monde resulted in Haze being dismasted and Claqin forced into La Trinite-sur-Mer with a hole in his boat. Bruno Peyron making a reappearance at his roots of sailing also retired with pilot problems, a common issue among the fleet. More at http://www.asso.ffv.fr/cnbpp

But in keeping the award for local Asian sailors this month will have to go to Troy Yaw's Ulumulu and especially to Ray Roberts who stepped in to skipper his old stead (ex Luna Nuova) and was the first recipient of this award back in August 2001. With the only chance of becoming the 2003/04 AsianYachting Grand Prix Champion they headed out full of optimism at Koh Samui but blew the boomvang on race 1 then the a loud ripping sound from the mainsail at the end of race 2 saw hopes waning. Forced to sail the afternoons race 3 with a storm tri sail they finished a remarkable 1min 20 sec's behind the eventual winner while the torn mainsail was rushed over to Phuket for emergency repairs. All to no avail as the repaired mainsail once again failed the next day in race 4 and a old one stored at Quantum Sails had to be fetched from Malaysia on the lay day. Remarkably they where still in the running until the Race Officer failed to notice the dying breeze on the penultimate race forcing them to retire as the time limit expired putting a end to their chances. A win on the final race gave them some consolation but the familiar brides maid role has continued to plague Ray and his old boat through out its checkered career.

One to watch right now is the Transat. From the very start came news of carnage and destruction the skippers experienced during the event. Established in 1960 as the 'OSTAR' a single-handed transatlantic race from Plymouth UK to Boston USA for ORMA and IMOCA 60s started on 31st May. Eleven 60ft trimarans, one 60ft catamaran along with 18 Open 60 monohulls made up the fleet which is one of the most impressive gatherings of the world's fastest and most advanced ocean racing machines ever seen. The boats have evolved over many years of development and now feature rotating wingmasts with deck spreaders, canting keels, twin asymmetric daggerboards, transom hung rudders and much modified cockpit layouts. The first casualties where Yves Parlier's new catamaran Médiatis Région Aquitaine and Alain Gautier's Foncia who returned to port to repair problems with the autopilot and steering systems. Then Jean Pierre Dick's Open 60 Virbac was rolled 360 degrees and dismasted. Their progress can be followed at: http://www.thetransat.com

3. Austral - Asian News

3.1 Omega AYC - STAR Sports broadcast times
Over the last month the Proteus Sports produced 1/2 hour Omega AYC films have thoroughly entertained Asian TV viewers on STAR Sports. The China Sea Race still remains from the series on the 8th June and the BMW - Royal Langkawi Regatta will be broadcast on the 10th June under Watersports World or Hot Water depending on which area you reside. If you miss the original broadcast times there will be repeats so check your local listings on ESPN - Star, Foxsports and JSkyB Japan.
China Sea Race: Tue 8 June @ 1930
BMW - Royal Langkawi Regatta: Thurs 10 June @ 1600

3.2 Malaysia's Kevin Lim qualifies for Athens Olympics
Bitez, Turkey: In perfect Turkish sailing conditions the Harken Laser World Championshjp was completed which is a qualifying series for the 2004 Olympics in Athens. It was also a day when 4 more countries qualified for the gold fleet - Korea, Malaysia, Ireland and Uruguay. As the fleet is split into gold and silver with equal interest there is 22 countries still trying to qualify for the remaining 4 places in the silver fleet. Kevin Lim finished up 56th with his best race being 7th placed. More can be found at: http://www.laserinternational.org

3.3 Learn to Sail with Asian Yachtmasters anyone?
The next 2-Day AY Introductory Sailing Course for participants interested in becoming Competent Crew on sailing yachts will be run over the weekend 12th and 13th June at the Royal Selangor Yacht Club in Port Klang. To enroll simply contact Khairul Sharil the RSYC Sailing Center Manager on 03-3168 6964 H/P 012 3899498 or Email: info@rsyc.com.my You can also goto the complete AY Syllabus and when the next Courses are starting at: http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/classes.htm

3.4 FusionM goes with the strength!
The Quantum Sails Design Group have introduced a brand-new membrane sail called FusionM. A topographical map of fibres radiating in all directions reflect a more realistic picture off the changing loads as they are constantly transferred and distributed through the sail. This new design does not distort sail shape in highly loaded areas and has an exceptional weight for strength ratio that hi-tech racers are looking for. Assembled at a new facility in Malaysia that utilizes the type of heat, pressure in controlled conditions that characterize true aerospace quality lamination techniques. Place your order at: http://www.quantumsails.com or obtain a obligation free quotation from Bruce Anson at: banson@quantumsails.com or Phone ++60-6-231-6145

3.5 Harbour Master Wanted in Langkawi?
Based amongst the sunny beaches and legendary tourism islands of Langkawi in Malaysia. Preferably a Malaysian aged below 45 years and holder of a Certificate in Radiotelephony Restricted Class is required. The successful applicant must also be familiar with sea-going regulations and passionate about yachting plus be well versed in shipyarding and operating a travel-lift haul out facility. Interested persons please contact Sally on +6019-335 5537 or Email: klkheng@yahoo.com.hk

3.6 Quantum Naga Cup
The first Phuket Sports 8 International, the 'Quantum Naga Cup' will be held from the 25 to 27 June at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club in Phuket. 'Naga' is short for 'phayanak' the legendary Thai sea-dragon displayed on the Phuket Sports 8 hull and mainsail. The weekend regatta will feature spectator-friendly, exciting, hi-pressure short W / L courses and some fine entertainment. Further info can be obtained by contacting Scott Duncanson at Securicor@csloxinfo.com or mobile tel. 01-8924992.

3.7 Singapore Girl in the Mini Transat 2005
Bi-annually adventurous sailors take on the Atlantic Ocean in 21ft mini class boats from France to Brazil. Started in 1977 by Bob Salmon the Mini Transat has attracted many followers and participants from all over the world. Since its inception it is one race that allows sailors, from amateur to professional level to enter into an event with a relatively small budget.

This time round in 2005 there will be a Singaporean attempt. Elaine Chua is one of the few Asian entries ever to enter the event and certainly the first Asian female to take on this grueling race. Since completing the BT Global Challenge on board Save the Children in 2001, Elaine chose to go sailing full time competing in the Asian yachting scene on various racing yachts over the last three years.

With the support of her home club the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club and its Commodore who graciously sponsored the purchase of the boat this will be her first attempt in solo sailing and is leaving no stone unturned in preparations leading up to the race and getting herself qualified which is still a year away. Elaine went to see the start of last years race in La Rochelle where she set her sights on competing and believes that the Mini scene is one where all the participants are like one big family "Yes, it's a solo race but you're not alone"

Elaine is currently in Europe and although she has now got hold of a Mini boat, the hunt for corporate sponsorship to brand the boat is on to see her through the 16-month campaign. For more details and updates of her progress, go to http://www.elainechua.com

3.8 Offshore racers hoting up for a action packed summer
DK Yachts are warning all offshore racers in the world to watch out when one of their Malaysian built Mum 30, Farr 40, 52, 520 or Mark Mills DK46 lines up on your starting grid. One to look out for in Aussie is Matt Allen’s Farr 52OD Ichi Ban while 2 worlds away in Europe Vicente Garcia's new Farr 520 Plis Play are presently on winning streaks. Sailors in the UK will not be spared as Ray Roberts ex-Hollywood Boulevard rocks up and expected to join Mike Greville's new DK 46 Erivale on the podium. Serious Yachts for Serious Sailors can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com

3.9 Everything That Floats Regatta
The Royal Selangor Yacht Club is planning a inaugural Everything That Floats Regatta in Port Klang on the weekend of 17th / 18th July. The aim is to get every operational sailing boat out on the water for fun and games followed by social activities at the club. The program is available by contacting the GM John Fergusonon 03-3168 6964 or Email: info@rsyc.com.my

3.10 The Volvo Pacific Race - Singapore to Hawaii in 2007
This brand new event was announced in Auckland last year and over the last 14 months or so they have been fleshing out the plans. It will start in Singapore during mid April 2007 and finish in Hawaii in mid July 2007, taking no longer than three months. There will be eight legs and stopover countries will include Hong Kong, China, Japan, Canada and two stops on North America’s west coast.

The racing will be for the Volvo Open 70 and there will be in port racing in some, but not all, stopovers. The entry fee has been set at £75,000 plus VAT and the Notice of Race will be issued later this year. Based very much on the Volvo Ocean Race format, this event will provide excellent continuity for sponsors who wish to showcase their products and companies in an emerging market. In addition, it will offer a perfect testing ground for new teams who are developing boats for the following Volvo Ocean Race, which will run two years later. For more information regarding your involvement, please contact Andy Hindley, Race Director, on +44 1489 554 831 or by email andy.hindley@volvooceanrace.org Follow thw lead up to the 205/06 event at: http://www.volvooceanrace.org

4. International News

4.1 ATHENS 2004 VENUE and SAILING AREA ready.
The huge Agios Kosmas Sailing Centre, located in south-west Athens is one of the very first event venues to be completed for the Olympic Games in August. Over 336 sq metres of land area, plus the same again in terms of marina space has already been used for two test events. This purpose built shoreside venue is reclaimed from unused land close to the Agios Kosmas Sports Centre, and is part of a development that has transformed the Athens waterfront in the south-west corner of the historic city. It took four years to build from scratch and was officially completed on 31 January 2004.

When the Opening Ceremony comes around on 13 August, the sailing venue will be full with more than 51 national teams, comprising 400 Athletes as well as support staff, coaches, media and officials. In addition, there will be over 60 ISAF race officials including measurers, course representatives, umpires and judges, as well as ISAF Staff, ATHOC staff, timekeepers, the world media, television, photographers, and spectators will resemble more of a city than a marina for the month. Full story on the ISAF site: http://sailing.org/Article_content.asp?ArticleID=7104

4.2 FIVE CITIES short listed to host the 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES
Paris (FRA), New York (USA), Moscow (RUS), London (GBR), and Madrid (ESP) were accepted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board in Lausanne as Candidate Cities to host the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012. The final decision on the host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad will be made by the full IOC membership during the 117th IOC Session in Singapore in July 2005.

4.3 Featured AY Grand Prix Yacht Brokerage
Hunter 40.5 This yacht has only had one owner who has kept her in good condition whilst competing in the cruising classes at local regatta's and chartered her out with sailing master to selected guests during the west coast sailing season. She has new Raytheon ST60 instruments and the sails (including spinnaker) are all in good working condition. For the Specifications, General description and boat owners comments Goto: http://asianyachting.com/boats/Hunter405.htm

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